Our Mentors

Graduate of Crop production from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria, with an honours degree of the highest class. A passionate advocate for food security and climate action, she is a seasoned team leader and player recognised among colleagues for her keen ability to energise and inspire individuals to work towards a common goal.

Passionate about health education and program planning, I am dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions and lead healthier lives. With a strong foundation of knowledge, I am eager to contribute my skills and insights to create meaningful impact

Godspower Major previously worked with an Environmental Consulting Firm in Nigeria. He studied Animal and Environmental Biology at the University of Benin, Nigeria, where he received the prestigious award of Best Graduating Student from his Department for academic excellence. He is interested in finding effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management amidst the unique challenges of climate change. His MPhil research at the University of Cambridge focuses on restoration strategies to promote the conservation of biodiversity in agroecosystems of tropical climes. He hopes to improve knowledge of climate change resilience and biodiversity conservation education across Africa.

Dr. Oyeleke Yinka, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a fervor for public health and disease prevention, is pursuing an MPhil in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge. He passionately mentors aspiring scholars, sharing expertise, and fostering a culture of learning and collaboration to help them excel in academia and beyond. Yinka's commitment to making a positive impact in veterinary medicine and public health extends to empowering the next generation of leaders.

Makena is a Kenyan public health scientist, currently pursuing an MPhil in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge. She graduated with first-class honours in Microbiology and Biotechnology from the University of Nairobi. Makena’s work experience across government, private and non-governmental health organisations gives her valuable insight in implementing public health interventions and analysing their successes and failures.

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Her primary research interest is the impact of economic, climate, political, and socio-cultural factors on low- and middle-income countries’ health stability. She intends to use this knowledge to help drive universal health coverage in Kenya

Judith Mbamalu is a Plant Scientist from Nigeria with a strong drive for research and innovation. She is part of the MPhil in Biological Sciences (Crop Science pathway) programme at the University of Cambridge. She holds a degree in botany and has worked as a research assistant at a renowned molecular research facility in South East Nigeria, where she trained young scientists on the fundamentals of molecular biology. Judith is particularly interested in plant health and understanding disease resistance in crops at the genome level. She hopes to apply the knowledge gained at Cambridge to promote sustainable agricultural practices and ensure food security in Nigeria.

Micheal is currently a Mastercard Foundation Scholar exploring climate resilience for Africa through the lens of climate finance and education at the University of Cambridge. He is also a passionate entrepreneur interested in climate technology and net-zero goals. He has a background in political science, project and product management,  and leadership. Going forward, he is interested in helping multinational corporations achieve their sustainability goals and climate change strategies.

Petra Mariaria, an Environmental (Public) Health scholar from Kenya, is pursuing an MPhil in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge as a recipient of the esteemed Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Award. Her unwavering passion is dedicated to enhancing health outcomes for marginalized and vulnerable communities. Her research project seeks to investigate how health systems can be fortified for greater adaptability and resilience in the face of climate change. Her work is not only academically rigorous but also deeply rooted in a commitment to practical impact. Petra is profoundly interested in exploring a multi-sectoral approach to curb the detrimental impacts of climate change on public health.

David Okine is a MasterCard foundation scholar currently studying an MPhil Program in African Studies. He used to be a Teaching Assistant from Ghana at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he also pursued his undergraduate studies.

David's area of interest lies in examining the effectiveness of state institutions in driving development in African countries, as he perceives them to be a fundamental element of progress in those countries. In the past, he has delved into the subject of state institutions and their role in community engagement, and he is now keen on conducting further research on institutions across the African continent.

Gilbert Nkpeniyeng is a high-level development-oriented enthusiast. Throughout his emerging career, he has been deeply involved with NGOs, wholeheartedly committed to the realization of this mission.In Gilbert's view, a better world is one in which every individual gains access to the knowledge they need and is empowered to utilize that knowledge effectively for lasting, positive change. His academic journey began at the University for Development Studies in Ghana. Gilbert's dedication to sustainable rural development was further validated by his receipt of the Wells Mountain Initiative scholarship during his undergraduate journey, an offer for talented students making lasting impacts in their

communities across Africa.

Shufaa Hame is an experienced Education and Health Promotion professional. She uses digital media, community outreach and creative writing to promote education, health and community development. She is passionate about empowering youth and utilising homegrown innovative solutions to solve pressing issues facing Africa. Shufaa has worked in various Education and Community Development Non-Profit Organizations where she gained skills in non-profit management. She will be pursuing an MPhil in Population Health Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Her goal post-graduation is to influence policy and create solutions through her own Non-profit organisation to improve access to quality healthcare in Tanzania.

Thelma Agbeko is a multifaceted academic from Ghana who will be pursuing an MPhil in Development Studies at Cambridge. She earned a bachelor's degree in Political Studies from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where she received the Dean's award in recognition of her outstanding academic performance. She worked as a teaching and research assistant at her university, assisting the departmental members and students in diverse ways. She is optimistic the program will furnish her with valuable skills for addressing Africa’s development concerns. She intends to be an astute academic researcher who will contribute to development in Africa

I am a second-year PhD student at the University of Cambridge, where I am investigating the mechanisms by which the immune system controls HPV infection at the cervix. In 2021, I completed an MPhil in Pathology at the University of Cambridge, after which I worked for a year as a research assistant in the same laboratory. My research interests include epithelial homeostasis and the cervical transformation zone. During my MPhil, I investigated the cellular origin of cervical precancer and explored the reasons for disease recurrence in different groups of women. My results showed that the globally adopted treatment for cervical precancer does not necessarily prevent a recurrent or incident disease.

Abel Wilson Walekhwa is a PhD Candidate at University of Cambridge, UK. He is working on Mathematical modeling for Rift Valley fever (RVF) disease transmission in Uganda with Dr Andrew Conlan. He is passionate about career mentorship and human capital development. Currently he runs mentorship programme under his organization (African Centre for Career Mentorship) which he voluntarily runs every Tuesdays at 1700hrs BST. Abel believes that African scholars should their levels to top ranking universities, and he is contributing through information sharing, sharing of resources. Currently he is also a CAMP mentor where he is voluntarily supporting one prospective student from Ghana. For his professional work, he is very passionate about building modeling capacity on African Continent

Kay Kwarteng was born in Ghana, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and worked in project management after graduation. He then moved on to obtain a Joint Master’s degree in nano-engineering shared between three different universities in France, Poland, and Italy. In his current role as a doctoral researcher, Kay’s research focuses on engineering 3D materials for flow photocatalysis and hopes to build bridges between lab-scale renewable technologies and real-world applications. Kay writes poetry on diverse topics and enjoys board games in his free time.

Hi, my name is Patience Abugu and I’m currently in the second year of a PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College. My PhD is focused on the development of biodegradable plastic materials for food packaging applications. This project will help transition the packaging industry, which is the biggest producer of plastic waste, into a circular economic model and facilitate the achievement of sustainable development in terms of material use and recovery via organic recycling. I do a lot of handcrafts, such as crocheting and knitting and am always down for a quick session at the gym or a few laps at the pool. I am also a beginner ukulele player.

Chibuzor Ndubisi is a Nigerian engineer and researcher currently studying for an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge. An ardent believer in the role of clean energy for Africa’s renaissance, Chibuzor aims to explore the energy-climate dynamic at its most intricate levels, while building a multidisciplinary skill set to drive change in Africa’s energy sector across the realms of technology, business, and policy. His career goals revolve around commercialising breakthrough energy innovations for African communities, upscaling climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, and transforming industries dependent on energy — all with a sustainability-focused and human-centred philosophy.

Itumeleng Sebata is currently working towards an MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture, and Management at the University of Cambridge. She is a member of Lucy Cavendish College. Itumeleng completed her BEng (hons) in Electronic Engineering at NUST (National University of Science and Technology) in Zimbabwe. One of her long-term goals is to be able to contribute to the improvement of the manufacturing sector in her country. Beyond her academic pursuits, she's passionate about her community and promoting STEM and ICT careers, especially among young women and girls.

Choonzo Chiyumba is a chemistry Ph.D. Candidate working on artificial metalloenzymes and a supervisor at Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. Before moving to Cambridge, Choonzo obtained a master’s degree and honours degree in Chemistry at Rhodes University in South Africa under the Institute of Nanotechnology and a bachelor’s degree in chemical biology at the University of Zambia in Zambia.

Choonzo has also undertaken training in facilitating small group teaching with the student service University of Cambridge and CHERTL Rhodes University. Here is a fun fact about her: She loves mountainous regions because they make her feel she is on top of the world.

Millicenta, from Ghana, is a PhD candidate in Medical Genetics at the University of Cambridge researching circadian rhythms and inherited cardiac arrythmias. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an MSc in Clinical Embryology from the University of Oxford. Additionally, she has experience working across various fields of genomics including cancer and reproductive health, and is passionate about the incorporation of genomic technologies to strengthen healthcare in Africa.
Over the years, Millicenta has also been actively involved in various efforts to increase black and disadvantaged representation across STEM globally. This includes starting Reach for STEM, a non-profit that provides support, mentorship and holistic development opportunities for black and disadvantaged youth in STEM.